it was midday, and they all found themselves face to face with a
question of fearful import, which none of them knew how to answer.
The question was, what to do. Could they stop? Dare they? Yet they
must. For the present they continued on a little longer.

They now came to another open space, overgrown with shrubbery,
similar to that which they had traversed in the night. It was about
two miles in extent, and at the other end arose a bare, rocky hill,
beyond which was the forest.

"We must halt at the top of that hill," said Claude. "It's the best
place. We can guard against a surprise, at any rate. Some of the
horses will drop if we go on much farther."

"I suppose we'll have to," said the priest.

"We must rest for half an hour, at least," said Claude. "If they come
up, we'll have to scatter, and take to the woods."

With these words they rode on, and at length reached the hill. The
path wound up it, and in due time they reached the top.

But scarcely had they done so, than a loud cry sounded out, which
thrilled through all hearts. Immediately after, a figure came
bounding towards them.

"Hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!" shouted the new comer.

"Heavens! Zac!" cried Claude; "you here?"

"Nobody else," replied Zac, wringing his hand. "But what are you
going to do?"

"Our horses are blown; we are pursued, but have to halt for a half
hour or so. If they come up, we'll have to scatter, and take to the
woods, and start the horses ahead on the path. This is a good lookout
place."

With these words Claude began to dismount, bearing his beloved
burden. The priest assisted him. Zac, after his first hurried
greeting, had moved towards Margot, around whom he threw his arms,
with an energetic clasp, and lifted her from the saddle to the
ground. Then he shook hands with her.

"I'm ver mooch glad to see you," said Margot. "Ees your sheep far
off?"

"So, they're after you--air they?" said he. "Wal, little one, when
they come, you stick to me--mind that; an' I engage to get you off
free. Stick to me, though. Be handy, an' I'll take you clar of them."

Claude was now engaged in finding a comfortable place upon which Mimi
might recline. The Indian stood as lookout; the deserter busied
himself with the horses; the priest stood near, watching Claude and
Mimi, while Zac devoted himself to Margot. In the midst of this, the
Indian came and said something to the priest. Claude noticed this,
and started.

"What is it?" he asked